(SportsNetwork.com) - The Memphis Grizzlies will try for a sixth consecutive
victory Monday evening when they welcome the New Orleans Pelicans to
FedExForum.

Memphis has inched over the .500 mark thanks to its trademark defense. The
Grizzlies have allowed an average of 84.6 points per game over their last
three. It helped getting reigning Defensive Player of the Year Marc Gasol back
in the lineup.

On Friday, Memphis got its fifth consecutive win, and fourth in a row at home,
with a hard-fought battle over the Sacramento Kings. The Grizz prevailed 91-90
to move past the .500 point for the first time since a 19-point home victory
over the Phoenix Suns on Dec. 3. That win made them 9-8.

"We got stops on seven of the last eight possessions. Going down the stretch
the intensity was good. We were pretty solid in there," said Grizzlies coach
Dave Joerger.

Following Monday's tilt, the Grizzlies are off until Friday night when they
begin a home-and-home series with the Rockets in Houston.

The Grizzlies are moving in the right direction, while the Pelicans are
sliding in the wrong one.

New Orleans has lost eight in a row and hasn't tasted victory since a Jan. 3
road win over the Boston Celtics.

Injuries have played a role in the Pelicans' demise. Leading scorer Ryan
Anderson is out, possibly for the season, with a herniated disc in his back.
Jrue Holiday is sidelined with a stress fracture in his right tibia.

Jason Smith was added to the list on Saturday. The team announced Saturday
that an MRI revealed Smith suffered cartilage damage in his knee and he'll be
out indefinitely.

"There will come a time when guys are all healthy, but we can't wait for
that," Pelicans guard Austin Rivers said.

The Pelicans' losing streak reached eight with a 97-87 home loss to the Golden
State Warriors.